Tammy’s Reviews > Out of the Silent Planet > Status Update

Devine calls Ransom a lucky devil. Later he says “for the Lord’s sake.” Ransom sees the difference between light and dark. He is calmed by nature and the outdoors and the wonder of the stars. He described seeing the stars as a glorious moment. He has the general revelation but the special is not clear.

This is definitely a fall in status for Ransom. He literally hits the floor.

He foolishly told them about his situation (easy to miss) and like evil fairy tale villains they take advantage of it. THREE hours. He is knocked on the headd again! Another loss of consciousness.

Progressivism - Devine used the lingo in school “Playing the Game,” “White Man’s Burden,” “Straight Bat.” if you don’t follow Christ, you follow what the world thinks is right. He is obsessed with increasing his wealth.

The three are in the garden (beauty, light, sunny). Outside the wall it is dark. They decide to go over the wall but Ransom stays on top straddled. Two strange beings open a door to the wall and force Devine and Weston back in. Ransom looks in the darkness at the strange people but ask, “Who are you?” They “hoo” in reply. This sounds like Alice! The narrator records this even though it may not connect. Very medieval.

In trying to escape, Ransom shows courage and force, although he is weak. The bolts are probably iron or steel. He kicks, writhes, bellows in trying to break away. He receives a blow to the head!

Romance/Fairy Tale -The house is a false paradise and hospitality is lacking. Underwood/underhill! Descent imagery. He is drug and his mind turns foggy before losing conscience. He has a very strange dream.

Ch. 2
MARS -- The room where they “hosted” Ransom is a hot mess and extremely disorderly (anti-MARS). The hodge-podge of luxury and squalor make it even more disorderly. The corkscrew and may be made of steel (iron). Devine compares walking to being in the army. Industry fuels war machines and also threatens farms (MARS). Devine mentions Scotland Yard will want to find Harry (order: MARS).

Spiritual Layer - He worms his way through the hedge. Devine is a mixed bag (devil, divine -- getting to heaven the wrong way). A couple of times Ransom does things he doesn’t understand as if following unseen guide. Everyman’s mom is damned (aren’t we all). When Devine recognizes Ransom, he says, “By Jove.” This makes sense because the friend of elves is an image of the Son of God.

He becomes a lone soldier on a rescue mission, showing endurance and courage in trying to help Harry. The muddy, wet path is anti-MARS. He’s angry at Harry’s mom for making his reckless vow. He hears combatants scuffling and fighting. He hears their boots. The gate is locked with something made of iron most likely. Harry is called a Tartar (image of anger). Schrödinger’s blood is mentioned.

On the property are lots of outhouses and something called a laboratory plus the observatory. Weston is compared to Einstein and Schrödinger. He’s much more of an arrogant jerk.

Now, the other thing I find very exciting. I see MARS and CHOLER! Lewis has his rucksack and he is walking through a rural countryside (turnip and cabbage fields). The first house is brick (red). There is a lack of hospitality (anti-MARS).

Compare this to the neglected path covered in moss. They are ignoring nature! Weston is trapped in the horizontal and seeks to pierce the vertical with mechanical means for the sake of progress. He believes that there are different levels of humanity and the lower forms need to be controlled by the government and not allowed to breed. He hates any research not devoted to science. Everything else is wasteful to him.

He climbs three steps and he hears three men fighting. The gate is white, the firelight is red, the “observatory” is a black shadow.

Fight against Progressivism - Miss Alics has died and the industrialized world has abandoned wonder. Ransom choses to walk but he could be riding a railoway or taking a carriage. He is the Pedestrian. Trucks going to and from the property has created muddy, wet ruts.